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Viking marks float out of newest Egypt ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2022 30 January 2022

Viking has announced its newest ship for the Nile River – the 82-guest Viking Osiris – was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2022, Viking Osiris will sail Viking’s bestselling 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. The arrival of Viking’s new ship later this year coincides with several key events in Egypt in 2022, including the highly anticipated opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo on the Giza Plateau – as well as the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb by Howard Carter and his benefactor, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Building on Viking’s longstanding relationship with the Carnarvon family, guests who sail on board Viking Osiris will experience Privileged Access to memories from 1922 and the events surrounding the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

“Our guests are curious explorers, and just as the iconic explorers before them, they choose Egypt as a destination because of its unparalleled access to history and antiquities. This rings as true today as it did a century ago and is what we continue to hear from the guests who are currently sailing with us on the Nile, as well as the many we have hosted in the last year,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are proud to be the only western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile – and we will always maintain our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that are focused on the destination. Particularly during this milestone year for Egypt, we look forward to welcoming guests on board Viking Osiris and introducing them to the country’s many cultural treasures.”

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo on January 26, 2022, and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of Viking Osiris began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when a member of the Viking team pressed the button that signalled to lower the ship-lift of the yard, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Osiris is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. The vessel features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking Osiris will join the company’s other ship on the Nile, Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. Additionally, in response to strong demand, Viking Aton, an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris, will join the fleet in 2023.

Saga sees cruise recovery after projected loss in 2021-22

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 January 2022 28 January 2022

Saga plc, the UK based company that focuses on the over 50s market, said that its cruise activities enjoy strong bookings looking ahead, but that the activities would make a loss in the 2021-22 financial year.

The two upscale vessels of Saga Cruises had generated a positive EBITDA in six months to 26 January that forms the second half of its financial year, but after depreciation and financing costs, they would report a loss in the region of £45 million to £50 million. Occupancy rate had been 68% and the average per diem £299.

However, looking ahead the load factor currently stands at 86% for the

first half and at 73% for full year and per diem of £318 and

£316, respectively,

“With a stronger Insurance business and progress being made in transforming our Travel business, our turnaround strategy is working well. While Omicron has impacted travel bookings through December and January, our outlook for Cruise in 2022/23 and beyond is positive,” CEI Euan Sutherland said in a trading statement.

CLIA expects passenger volumes to reach pre-Covid levels in 2023

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 January 2022 28 January 2022

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expects passenger volumes to reach the levels of 2019, when 29.7 million passengers took a cruise next year.

The forecast, which is based on its baseline scenario, was presented as part of its 2022 state of the industry report. It said that almost six million passengers had taken a cruise since the industry was able too recommence operations last year and that 80% of those had said they intended to cruise again. The figures was the same as before the pandemic.

In 2020, the number of passengers had plummet to 5.8 million from the previous year, while the number of jobs the industry supports contracted by 51% to some 576,000 and the industry’s economic impact plummeted by 59% to $63.4 billion.

CLIA forecasts that its member lines - which do not include e.g. Viking and Hurtigruten - will introduce 16 ships this year. The lines will have 272 ships in service this year, with an average capacity of 2,126 passengers per ship, CLIA said.

Ambassador Cruise Line acquires second ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 January 2022 27 January 2022

Ambassador Cruise Line, the UK based company which is scheduled to commence operations in the spring, said it has acquired a second ship that will enter service in 2023 and which will add a number of departure ports to the company's offering.

The company has purchased the 48,123 gross ton AIDAmira that started life as Mistral for the now defunct Festival Cruises in 1999 for an undisclosed sum.

To be called, Ambition, the ship will offer no-fly sailings predominantly targeting the 50-plus market with a premium-value, authentic cruise experience. “In addition to London Tilbury, she will also offer a summer 2023 programme of regional departures from ports such as Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Falmouth, enabling guests across the UK to have a shorter distance to travel before experiencing Ambassador’s onboard service. The full programme is being finalised and will be on sale from Q2 2022,” the company said in a statement.

Ambassador Cruise Line.has the same senior management as Cruise & Maritime Voyages that collapsed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike the last named company, Ambassador Cruise Line owns the vessels it operates. The first ship of the company, Ambiance, was built in 1991 as Regal Princess for Princess Cruises.

Prior to entering service with Ambassador Cruise Line, she will undergo similar extensive upgrades as her new sister ship, Ambience, including the installation of the latest emission reduction technologies to secure IMO Tier III compliance.

“This will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 95% compared to current standards. Along with installing updated ballast and sewage water treatment systems, both ships in the Ambassador Cruise Line fleet will be among circa 10% of the current world cruise fleet authorised to sail in strictly environmentally protected seas. These investments are a key part of the Ambassador Cruise Line strategy of operating with a high level of environmental responsibility as well as meeting the increased demands of guests who want to enjoy all the benefits of travel whilst making the lowest possible impact on the destinations they travel to,” the company said.

Photos: CGI of how Ambition will look in Ambassador colours, the ship as AIDAmira

Hurtigruten celebrates Norway’s reopening

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 January 2022 27 January 2022

Hurtigruten is celebrating Norway's reopening as the country will no longer require North American travelers to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Effective January 26, the government announced removal of the restrictions that have been in place for almost two years.

Following the announcement, North Americans can travel to Norway as long as they present a negative COVID-19 test taken 24 hours before departing for Norway, complete an entry pre-registration form, and test upon arrival, either at the airport or within the first 24 hours. Prior to this week, even vaccinated North Americans were not allowed to enter Norway without quarantining for 10 days.

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express, which has been operating sailings up and down the country’s coast since 1893 is looking forward to once again welcome North American travelers to explore one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. Starting from only $1,752, travelers can enjoy a 6-day cruise from Kirkenes – located at the very top of Norway, close to Russia – down to Bergen, the country’s second-largest city. This route is often described as “the most beautiful voyage in the world”, and with almost 130 years of experience operating along Norway’s coast, no cruise company knows or does Norway better than Hurtigruten Group.

Hurtigruten Expeditions is offering the 15-day Northern Lights and Fjords Expedition from Dover, United Kingdom, which focuses on the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis, this winter and spring, as well as for the 2022/23 winter season. Between April and September, the company is also operating 15-day summer expedition cruises out of Hamburg, Germany.

Guests bookings with either Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express or Hurtigruten Expeditions before March 31, 2022, for sailings before September 30, 2022, are automatically covered by Hurtigruten’s Book with Confidence policy.

Norway is regularly on most Americans’ bucket lists, and last year, American travelers listed seeing the Northern Lights in Norway as their number one bucket-list experience in the world, according to USTOA (the United States Tour Operators Association). Being onboard a ship is one of the best ways to experience these magical occurrences that take place from November to March every year. To ensure guests can cross the lights off their bucket list, Hurtigruten offers the unique Northern Lights Promise on select voyages.

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express’ departures range from 6 to 12 days, with the latter calling at 34 ports along the Norwegian coast and sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains. Guests can enjoy the astounding Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site; the old Viking town of Trondheim, Norway’s traditional historic, religious, and cultural capital; the postcard-worthy Lofoten Islands, whose special beauty is praised as one of the most beautiful locations in the world by National Geographic; or wander through Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic Ocean, on the North Cape at the top of Scandinavia.

Last year, Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Express also announced all seven of its ships will undergo one of the largest environmental upgrade in the history of European shipping, which will result in CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions being reduced by at least 25% and NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions cut by 80%.

Photo credit: Hege Abrahamsen